DA Morrissey: Medical episode led to Milton car crash

Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey says a "medical episode" while driving led to a Tuesday crash in Milton that left Morrissey and three others injured. A Milton deputy police chief John King had previously said that the three-car accident wasn't caused by alcohol or distracted driving by Morrissey.

By Lane Lambert

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Lane Lambert

Posted Jul. 18, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 18, 2013 at 6:22 PM

By Lane Lambert

Posted Jul. 18, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 18, 2013 at 6:22 PM

QUINCY

» Social News

Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey says “a medical episode” led to a three-car crash in Milton on Tuesday.

“Fatigue, dehydration and extreme temperatures contributed to my loss of consciousness,” Morrissey said in a prepared statement he released Thursday afternoon.

Milton deputy police chief John King had previously said alcohol or distracted driving weren't factors in the crash. Morrissey's wife Joanne Morrissey had also said the DA had asked for a blood-alcohol test at the hospital to show that he hadn't been drinking.

Morrissey, who’s 58, was released from an undisclosed area hospital Wednesday.

The crash occurred at 5:50 p.m. Tuesday on Centre Street near Milton Academy. Police reports said Morrissey's car was traveling east, and collided with two westbound cars in the other lane. A fourth vehicle swerved off the road to avoid the crash. Morrissey and three others were taken to hospitals for treatment.

In his Thursday statement, Morrissey said he was on his way home from his Canton office and had just ordered a pizza with a “hands free wireless telephone,” and then felt lightheaded. He said the next thing he recalled was being outside his car, which was stopped across two lanes of the road.

“At the time of the accident, I did not know what happened,” he said. “Individuals at the scene told me my car crossed over the center line causing the accident. I have no reason to dispute that.”

Morrissey said he got a police citation, and that he'll release his medical records as part of the citation hearing. He also said that on his doctor's orders he'll be taking time off to recuperate.

He said he's grateful that the other parties involved in the accident appear to be okay as they were treated and released from the hospital. "I wish them a speedy recovery.," he said.

“This is an unfortunate accident,” he said. “I intend to be as transparent as possible in this process.”

Morrissey was elected district attorney in 2010. Before that, the lifelong Quincy resident had been in the Legislature since 1976.